GARDENING; Bugs? Often Enough, the Hose Is the Answer

THE recent hot weather plus a prolonged drought have left an ugly mark on the green world. Lawns are browned off, trees are dropping leaves prematurely and mildew is rampant.

Certain specimen plants are dwarfs of their usual selves. In many cases, flowering is either off schedule or not what it should be. Many annuals are setting seed prematurely. Hopefully the return of cooler weather and adequate rainfall will set things right again. Meanwhile, hoses and watering cans have been put into yeoman service.

This sort of dry, hot weather has also made life easy for the mite population. Happily, however, mites are easy to control. There is no need to resort to fancy sprays. A plain jet of water will do them in. This kind of remedy is music to an organic gardener's ears, an important trend in pest-disease control.

Mites are not true insects, but spiders. Red spider mites are the most common ones gardeners in the Northeast are likely to encounter. This minute creature is difficult to see, but its presence is evident by the destruction caused.

When plants appear to be rather dusty looking and the leaves have tiny pale spots on them, suspect red spider mites. The almost invisible pests feed on the undersides of leaves; their eggs are protected by delicate webs that surround them, so contact sprays are not effective. But the mites abhor wetness and the simplest way to get rid of them is take up the hose and douse the affected plants. (This works in the greenhouse and for house plants, too).

When using the hose, be sure to direct the water underneath the plants where the red spiders thrive. Also, a mist type forceful spray is more effective than a strong jet of water.

The water-spray method often works on populations of aphids, too, which like to accumulate thickly on the succulent buds of roses. Sometimes a few good sprays of water from the hose are enough to discourage aphids.

To continue this benign but effective means of pest control, here's another approach to getting rid of a common problem. The lacebugs seem to be having a super time this summer feeding on the leaves of pieris or andromeda. Water sprays, again, may prove to be the solution.

If not, then another rather simple cure may be allocated -- a forceful spray with the insecticidal soap, the Safer brand for instance. Directions for application and mixing are on the concentrate label. Although the Safer brand has been on the market for some years, gardeners may also see the newcomer, Concern Insect Soap for sale. Both of these products are effective against a host of garden pests. The soaps are derived from fatty acids and may be safely used on vegetable plants even close to the days of harvest.

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Mosquitoes are a serious problem at this time of year when it comes to outdoor activities. The common remedy of burning many citronella candles is still effective. This approach certainly is easier and kinder to the garden than the massive spraying of the patio area before an outdoor function. This indiscriminate spraying often destroys beneficial insects and can leave harmful residues.

In cases where mosquitoes are a major environmental nuisance, there has been some measure of effectiveness recorded when neighborhoods have used the biological control Bt Israelensis. This biological control targets the mosquito larvae in water, puddles and stagnant pools.

Caterpillars frequent geraniums, petunias and impatiens. The telltale signs of their presence are the holes they chew in the leaves and the frass they leave behind as they feed. The tomato hornworms are especially destructive and these huge caterpillars are simple to find. But look carefully as they are disguised by their green color.

When trails of tiny black specks, the caterpillar frass, are seen on plants, take a few minutes out to hunt down the caterpillars. Once they are found, pull them off and stomp them. That should fix things right up.

Recipes abound for home remedy garden sprays. Many of them contain mixtures of garlic, pepper, Tabasco sauce and soaps. New to the market this year is a commercial garlic spray called Garlic Barrier that is said to repel insect pests systemically.

Another much-touted product is the Neem Extract. This product contains azadirachtin and works by interrupting the insect's ability to molt. This particular biological control is said to be effective on whitefly, mealybugs, leafhoppers, thrips and sawflies.

The important step in any pest control method is to identify the problem first, then target the insect specifically with the least harmful remedy. Gone are the days when there was a mad rush for the spray can. Gardeners are learning to think twice before they act.

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A version of this article appears in print on July 30, 1995, on Page WC13 of the National edition with the headline: GARDENING; Bugs? Often Enough, the Hose Is the Answer. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe